Tiger Woods scored a runaway victory in the U.S. Open last year, winning by 15 strokes at Pebble Beach. A year later, Woods is aiming for his fifth straight triumph in a major golf tournament. Can anyone stop him?

Tom Clark is the golf and tennis editor for USA TODAY. He is coordinating U.S. Open coverage. This year's tournament is June 14-17 at the Southern Hills Country Club.

Comment from USATODAY.com Host:
Tom is online and ready to take your Open questions. Let's begin.Zanesville, Ohio:
Do you agree w/Nicklaus when he said it was harder for him to win majors than Tiger, mainly because he had guys like Palmer, Player, Trevino who had won majors before and knew what it took?

Tom Clark:
Good question....it's always difficult to compare eras in sports. While it's true that having those accomplished players in the field made it a challenge for Nicklaus to continue his dominance, other factors need to be considered when measuring Tiger's dominance: 1) I think the overall field is stronger in today's game than it was back in Jack's day. 2)Since Tiger never gives anyone else a chance to win, we really don't know how great his nearest competitors are. If Tiger wasn't so far and away the best, maybe guys like Duval and Mickelson would have some major titles under their belt. Also, don't forget Tiger's contemporaries Ernie Els and Vijay Singh...they have each won two major titles, but Tiger has whomped on them the past four majors. Nicklaus was great..his era was great...I really don't think there is any need for Jack to say it was more difficult for him than it is for Tiger.Hagerstown, Md.:
What do you make of Earl Woods' comments in the recent issue of TV Guide, equating Tiger to Nelson Mandela? Seems like a stretch to me -- we're talking about a golfer here.

Tom Clark:
I hope Earl wasn't comparing his son to Mandela in the way you mean...of course that is ridiculous. Tiger hasn't spent 27 years in prison wrongly like Mandela endured...what I hope Earl meant was that since Tiger has reached such a high level of power and influence due to his golf game, practically anyone he meets looks up to him...but when Tiger met Mandela, it was someone everyone puts on a pedestal higher than Tiger, so hopefully it gave Tiger some perspective. That's what I hope Earl meant.Boise, Idaho:
How much of a toll will the heat create for the golfers? Can we expect much of a real difference in scores from a group that goes out early in the morning vs. a group in the peak of the afternoon heat?

Tom Clark:
The heat will be a factor for two groups of players: 1. Those that are out of shape - their bodies will not react kindly to the hot weather. 2. Europeans who play largely on the European PGA Tour, who rarely play in this kind of heat. Today though, it looks like a storm is brewing, and if that halts play, the messed up schedules will be a bigger problem than the heat. Regardless, the wind that the storm creates will also be a bigger burden than the heat.Roanoke, Virginia:
Is there anyone who has a realistic chance to beat Tiger Woods on such a long golf course?

Tom Clark:
Yes. First of all, anything can happen with Tiger. He may show us that he is human, get caught in the rough on a couple holes, and finish a couple over par. Imagine that, Tiger could play himself out of the tournament with his own mistakes...it is the US Open after all. And, while the course is long in relation to par, still the premium will be on hitting it straight and putting well, and there a bunch of players who can do that. Will anyone rise to the occasion? That's what we are watching for. Early on, it looks like none other than the dominant senior player on Tour, Hale Irwin, who is 56 years old and has won this tourney three times, is hitting it straight and putting well. He's 2 under through 12!ashland,pa:
Who will finish better Darren Clarke or Jose Maria Olazabal?

Tom Clark:
I am cheating a little here, but notice that Olazabal is 6 over after 11 holes today...so I'll take Clarke!...I saw pictures of Darren Clarke smoking a big stogie during his practice round, which I guess shows he is calm and relaxed this week. Clarke has the same coach, Butch Harmon, as Tiger does, but Clarke, while a tough guy, is a little large and from Europe, and as we discussed before, the heat might be a factor for him.ST PAUL, MN :
What do the oddsmakers rate Tiger to win the Open? When Jack was playing his best, what did they have him at?

Tom Clark:
USA TODAY sports analyst Danny Sheridan has Tiger at 1:1 odds. This is remarkable. When Jack was at the top of his game, he was closer to 7 or 8:1. It's not supposed to be as expected to win majors and Tiger is making it seem!Avon Lake, Ohio:
What do you think about the comments that David Duval has said about how if he is playing good Tiger will have a tough time staying with him. Do you feel that Duval is doing this to mess with Tiger, because everyone knows that Duval will have to play good just to keep up with Tiger.

Tom Clark:
Duval can't mess with Tiger. He knows that. I think some players just find themselves being asked so many questions about Tiger that all kinds of things spill out of their mouths. Duval probably believes, and has to believe, that if he plays great he can win, and Tiger would have to keep up with him. In other words, if Duval goes out and shoots real low, well, Tiger, there is your challenge to stay with me.BOSTON, MA :
Is it possible that some people (other players) are very uncomfortable with Tiger Woods personally because he obviously dominates the game of golf?

Tom Clark:
They are definitely uncomfortable getting creamed every week. They also must wonder, after all the work they put in, how one guy can do so many things they can't on the golf course. They also probably get so may questions about Tiger that it gets tiring. In terms of dealing with him personally, Tiger seems to have a close pocket of friends, like Mark O'Meara, Notah Begay, Mark Calcavecchia, David Duval...the others all seem friendly, but yes, I would guess as an average or above average pro, talking to a guy (Tiger) who is on another level than you can be uncomfortable.Providence, RI:
I am interested in scoring stats. I know that holes-in-one are difficult and that there have been some in U.S. Open history. I recently heard that it is rarer for a golfer to birdie all of the par threes in the same round. Has that ever been done in U.S. Open history? If so by whom and when. Thanks.

Tom Clark:
Interesting question...I don't know off the top of my head, but perhaps the USGA website USGA.com can help you get that stat....for anyone else out there who cares, there have been 32 hole-in-ones in US Open history.Omaha, Neb.:
If Tiger by some unthinkable reason doesn't win this year, who is your best bet?

Tom Clark:
Hmmm....Phil Mickelson. I think he is the second best player in the world. I also am afraid his mind may be fried by watching Tiger the past year. But if I had to bet, it would be Mickelson. For an upset special, how about Loren Roberts..I also like his chances for the upset because of his great putting stroke. Putting is the great equalizer.Roanoke, VA:
Due to the difficulty of the course and greens, what do you feel will be a winning score and what factors could affect the performance of the players? Also will Mickelson be competitive this weekend?

Tom Clark:
I definitely think Mickelson will be competitive this week, as stated earlier...As for the winning score, I would predict something like 3 or 4 under after four days..and I think you'll only see one or two players under par when the tournament ends. Unless of course Tiger goes nuts again and fires 12 under...remember last year, Tiger shot 12 under and the next best score for the week was 3 over. My prediction is, Tiger shoots 4 under, and wins by five shots over the No. 2 guy, who finishes 1 over.Comment from Tom Clark:
Thanks for all your questions. I hope you enjoy watching the Open this weekend...the television coverage will be
comprehensive..you really don't have to miss a shot if you get the chance. Also remember to check back to
golf.usatoday.com for comprehensive coverage on the Internet, including an interactive course map, and read USA TODAY for all the big stories on the 101st U.S. Open.